and -- other than select professionals, who can afford --- or want to plop down the money -- for this beautiful piece of computing dropping in at a base-price of $4,000 (considering the far less beautiful and equipped current-gen starts at $2,500)?

Where are you getting that number? I haven't seen any price points released. There's no way it's more than the current generation. Considering it's only expandable externally it wouldn't even surprise me if the base price was lower than current gen. Not to mention the case requires less materials and is a cheaper plastic instead of pricier aluminum. I have to think they learned their lesson with the Cube (which I owned and loved). If this thing is as overpriced as the Cube was, it'll die a quick death. I have no practical use for the horsepower, but I'm considering it as an upgrade to my mini. The thing is friggin' gorgeous.

I don't think it will be significantly expensive either, but the new Mac Pro will not be made of plastic. The Mac Pro page at Apple's website describes the new enclosure this way: "Refined impact extrusion technologies are more material-efficient and give the polished aluminum enclosure its incredible shape and finish".

I liked the ad overall. I even like the product overall, just not the fact that it is plastic.

Some will disagree but I like the potential for a modular computer with components hooked in via thunderbolt 2 ports. Want to add a new video card? Route it through a thunderbolt 2 port, etc. This makes it easier for the less-savvy to add new components without voiding a warranty.

I think you nailed one thing here that maybe being over looked...
Can a Prosumer, high power gun like that be integrated into a home network will all your other stuff?
Think about the computing power there...

My first thought when I saw it for the first time.....DejaVu. The Cube. Not sure I like to have most (all) of the expansions external. It was nice having everything within that big aluminum case. On the other hand, if/when Apple comes out with a 30 inch Retina Display, I just might have to have one of these. I agree with Bunker though, what would I use it for?

I like the video, but I don't care for how we don't get to see much detail, and the actual specs are still unreleased. The visual presentation reminds me of some high-end luxury car websites where they zoom in on specific features of the car, and it's hard to find a photo of the whole car.